UCLA safety Kamari Ramsey, a former player, is added by USC DC D’Anton Lynn.
It’s official: Los Angeles is flipping.
In addition to bringing in a well-known figure, new USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn secured a commitment on Thursday from UCLA transfer safety Kamari Ramsey. Ramsey visited all three programs on official visits before deciding on the Trojans over Ohio State and Washington.
According to the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings, Ramsey is a four-star recruit, ranked No. 38 overall and No. 2 among safety prospects. Along with safety Akili Arnold from Oregon State, linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold from Oregon State, defensive lineman Nate Clifton from Vanderbilt, long snapper Hank Pepper from Michigan State, and cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson from Mississippi State, Ramsey is the seventh transfer picked by USC.
As a redshirt freshman, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Ramsey started 11 games out of 11 outings and was a key component of Lynn’s UCLA defense in 2023. In addition to 40 tackles, he also had 2.5 tackles for a loss, four pass breakups, and an interception. The fact that he only missed three tackles during the season—possibly the most outstanding of any USC back-seven defense who played at least 150 snaps—means that his 6.3 missed tackle % was the best. As a true freshman, Ramsey played in just four games and recorded five tackles.
Despite Ramsey only being a redshirt sophomore, he will provide valuable experience to a safety room hoping for a significant comeback in 2024. With the addition of Arnold, the No. 6 transfer safety, and Ramsey, USC and Lynn will have two possible first-team starters for the upcoming campaign.
The Trojans will lose veteran Max Williams but gain back starting nickel Jaylin Smith. Calen Bullock, an All-American and three-year starter, has not yet decided which pick to make in the NFL Draft, but he has not been spotted at USC’s Holiday Bowl workouts. Bryson Shaw, a redshirt senior, has one more year of eligibility left, but he hasn’t made an announcement on his plans to return or not.
Christian Pierce and Zion Branch, two of USC’s young safety prospects, will work nicely with the experienced veterans Ramsey, Arnold, and Smith. Jarvis Boatwright and Marquis Gallegos, two upcoming high school signees, are also headed to USC.
With the coaching change, USC lost out on recruiting Ramsey in the 2022 recruiting cycle. Ramsey was a standout prospect at Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon. According to the 247Sports Composite, he was a four-star prospect, ranked No. 169 overall, and the No. 12 safety.
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